Shaun Derry believes Crystal Palace have got enough in the squad to avoid relegation from the Premier League this season.

However, the former Eagles captain says it will be imperative to get the injured Wilfried Zaha back fit and firing sooner rather than later if they are to be successful in their quest for survival.

Derry recently left his position as manager of League Two side Cambridge United and says he will be watching the relegation battle with interest in the coming weeks, although he says he feels his old side will have enough to survive.

“It’s fascinating. For an outsider now, someone who can actually watch the games in the comfort of his home or perhaps go to one or two games between now and the end of the season, I’m intrigued to see how it ends," he said.

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“I certainly back Crystal Palace to stay in the Premier League, they’ve certainly got enough. I think the fact that they experienced that tough time at the start of the season will allow them to be that team that gets themselves out of trouble.”

Shaun Derry playing for Crystal Palace in 2004. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

But Derry, who had two spells at Palace, admits that Zaha is a big miss for the Eagles, with the Ivory Coast international currently out with a knee injury that is likely to keep him out of action until mid-March.

“The big talking point is how quickly they can get Wilfried (Zaha) back. As soon as he gets back it gives them such a fantastic opportunity to win games of football," Derry said.

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“When they miss Wilfried, they miss a massive part of what Crystal Palace is all about; he has become that talisman.

Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Newcastle United (Image: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

“He’s that player that the locals can really grab hold of and call one of their own. With him missing, that poses a problem in the short-term, but what that allows is for someone else to take the reins.

“They need someone from within that group to take responsibility and I think rather than looking for an individual to do that, it has to be a collective effort.

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“The collection of the players have to take strength from all those knocks that they got in the first seven games of the season and play with a vigour between now and the end of the season that they’re not just putting the pressure on one person.”